Chess Openings·Halloween Gambit

Open Game

Halloween Gambit

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Nxe5

Step through

7 / 7
  1. 1.
  3. 2.
  5. 3.
  7. 4.

Tap a move to jump to that position.

One pawn is given up to bring the pieces out faster. Pawns push forward and take room away from the opponent. Of the four central squares, pawns stand on e4. 1 pieces have left the board. Neither side has castled yet.

The position

Length
7 moves
To move
Black
Legal replies
30
Minor pieces out
White 2 · Black 2
Material
39 · 38
Castling rights left
KQkq
FEN
r1bqkb1r/pppp1ppp/2n2n2/4N3/4P3/2N5/PPPP1PPP/R1BQKB1R b KQkq - 0 4

Move by move

Each move spelled out: which piece went from where to where.

  1. 1.e4White: Pawn e2→e4
  2. 1…e5Black: Pawn e7→e5
  3. 2.Nf3White: Knight g1→f3
  4. 2…Nc6Black: Knight b8→c6
  5. 3.Nc3White: Knight b1→c3
  6. 3…Nf6Black: Knight g8→f6
  7. 4.Nxe5White: Knight f3→e5 (capture)

Nearby lines

first 6 moves shared

Four Knights Game…Nc6 Nc3 Nf6Four Knights Game, Spanish Variation…Bb5Four Knights Game, Scotch Variation…d4Three Knights Game…Bb4Ruy Lopez…Bb5Italian Game…Bc4

Common questions

Q. What are the moves of Halloween Gambit?

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Nxe5

Q. Which family does it belong to?

Open Game — Everything that starts 1.e4 e5.

Q. Who is to move next?

After 7 moves it is Black to move.